A decision regarding plans to demolish former council offices off Chapel Lane and replace them with retirement apartments has been delayed.
The Northern Planning Committee met on Wednesday, 29th April, to discuss the proposal from PegasusLife to knock down the two existing buildings on the Remenham site and build 57 assisted living apartments. However, the decision was deferred to allow for members to consider the number of parking spaces being made available.
Cllr Rod Menlove explained "I attended the meeting and spoke in favour of the application. The members were broadly supportive but had concerns about on-site parking, there being 59 spaces for 57 apartments. Pegasus offered their experience from their other developments that within a short time only about two thirds of residents kept their cars. I am hoping that the application returns to committee shortly since this is a development of value to Wilmslow."
Revised plans were submitted which reduce the entire building to four storeys and reduces the height from 19.7 metres to 16.3 metres. The effect of this reduction was to reduce the number of apartments from 65 to 57, and reduce the extent of communal facilities. The communal facilities now include a dining area, swimming pool, sauna, gym, and studio.
It is proposed that a S106 legal agreement requires Pegasus to make a payment of £81,750 for "off-site provision of public open space for improvements, additions and enhancement of existing public open space facilities at Gravel Lane, Lindow Common, Carnival Fields, The Carrs and allotments within Wilmslow".
The planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 14/5471M.
The application (reference 15/0283M) to build a 35-bedroom hotel on Altrincham Road, Styal was also on the agenda for last week's Northern Planning Committee meeting. It was recommended for refusal but the planning application was withdrawn.
Comments
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Two years ago Cheshire East was very excited about a proposal to build 5 prestigious houses on the Bedells Lane site. Residents of Wilmslow (RoW) asserted this was an ideal site for apartments for older people! Applying actual housing figures and advising Cheshire East Council of the existence of brownfield sites are but two examples of the common sense logic your Independent Wilmslow councillors bring to the table when working to create a better future for Wilmslow, a town for the future that does not concrete over any of our Green Belt.
With the revised Local Plan calling for even more housing and commercial development in Wilmslow, not to mention at Handforth East, Woodford and Airport City, it is a matter of very great concern to us at RoW that the Conservative lead council does not have very much to say about infrastructure. Think we are in big trouble.
It is my understanding that S106 money can only be spent in the same ward as the development itself.
Therefore, I trust this S106 Money will be spent in the part of the Carrs that is in this ward (i.e. Wilmslow West And Chorley) which is the bit on the south side of the River Bollin" and not in the section north of the River Bollin which is in the Wilmslow Lacey Green Ward.
And the same with allotment too. I understand that there are at least two allotment sites in Wilmslow West and Chorley ward.